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Current Affairs 17 December 2025
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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Overview of 20th Session of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi, Delhi
The 20th Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) held from December 8 to 13, 2025, at the Red Fort in New Delhi, Delhi, marking the first time hosted by India.
- This event marks 20 years since India ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention in 2005.
Highlights of the 20th UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee:
Organizers: The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India (GOI) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA).
Venue Significance: The Red Fort is a 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site which was inscribed in 2007. It served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years from Shah Jahan who commissioned it in 1638-1648 until the British colonial period.
- The Red Fort, managed by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under Ministry of Culture, is constructed mainly of red stone, with marble inlay in certain structures.
Chair: The session will be chaired by Vishal V. Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO.
Deepavali Added to UNESCO’s ICH List: During the session, Deepavali, one of India’s widely celebrated festivals, has been added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the ICH of Humanity in the presence of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Culture.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director General (DG) – Khaled El-Enany
Headquarters – Paris, France
Established – 1945
>>Read Full News
India Unveils 1st Indigenous 64-bit Dual-Core Microprocessor ‘DHRUV64’
In December 2025, the Government of India (GoI) unveiled ‘DHRUV64’, India’s 1st indigenous built 1.0 Giga Hertz (GHz), 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, marking a significant milestone in strengthening India’s self-reliant microprocessor ecosystem.
About DHRUV64:
Developed by: This newly launched semiconductor chip was developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Research and Development (R&D) organisation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP).
Key Features: DHRUV64 has been developed with modern architectural features that offer higher efficiency, improved multitasking capability and enhanced reliability.
- The DHRUV64 processor is designed for seamless integration with diverse hardware and, with modern fabrication technologies, is suitable for Fifth Generation(5G), automotive, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
DIR-V Programme: The launch of DHRUV64 is part of the GoI’s Digital India RISC-V(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) (DIR-V) programme which aims to create a complete portfolio of RISC-V-based microprocessors in India.
Processor Lineage: DHRUV64 is the 3rd processor to be fabricated under DIR-V, following the THEJAS32, 1st chip fabricated at Silterra facility in Malaysia; and THEJAS64, manufactured locally at Semiconductor Lab (SCL) in Mohali, Punjab.
>>Read Full News
University of Patanjali Named India’s First Yoga-Ayurveda Cluster Centre
In December 2025, University of Patanjali in Haridwar(Uttarakhand) became India’s first Yoga and Ayurveda focused ‘Cluster Center’ under the Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture.
- The initiative preserves ancient Indian knowledge systems through research, digitization, and institutional mentoring.
Exam Hints:
- What? University of Patanjali Designated as Cluster Center
- Under Which Mission? Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM)
- GBM Implemented by: Ministry of Culture (MoC)
- Key Figures: Swami Ramdev (Chancellor), Dr. Acharya Balkrishna (VC), Dr. Anirban Dash (Project Director)
MoU Signed: This recognition was formalized through an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in the presence of Yogaguru Swami Ramdev, Chancellor of University of Patanjali; Dr. Anirban Dash, Director of GBM, among others, during a ceremony held in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
Gyan Bharatam Mission:
Overview: Gyan Bharatam Mission safeguards India’s intellectual heritage, particularly manuscripts and traditional knowledge, through conservation, research, and dissemination.
Total MoUs Signed: So far, 33 MoUs, including 20 cluster centers (of which 8 are universities) were signed under GBM.
Preservation of Ancient Texts/Manuscripts: As of now, the university has preserved more than 50,000 ancient texts, digitized over 42 lakh pages and republished 40 manuscripts.
Significance: Now, the university as a Cluster Center of GBM, will be able to mentor 20 associated institutions, that will strengthen nationwide efforts in cultural preservation.
IA Signed MoU with Raghu Vamsi Par East to Boost Indigenous Drone Capabilities
In December 2025, the Indian Army (IA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Raghu Vamsi Par East Automation Private Limited, a Joint venture(JV) between Raghu Vamsi Group and Par East, coordinated through the 515 Army Base Workshop (ABW) in Secunderabad, Telangana, to fast-track the development and induction of indigenous drone capabilities for land systems.
Exam Hints:
- What? MoU signed to accelerate indigenous drone capabilities
- Entities: Indian Army & Raghu Vamsi Par East Automation Pvt Ltd
- Where? Secunderabad, Telangana
- Why? To strengthen indigenous manufacturing, reduce import dependence, and shorten induction timelines
- Focus Areas: IC engine-based drones and GPS-denied operations
About the MoU:
Parties: The collaboration involves the IA through 515 ABW, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army), Directorate General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (DG EME), and Raghu Vamsi Par East Automation Private Limited.
Objective: The collaboration establishes a streamlined pathway from technical evaluation to field induction and scaling up of indigenous drone technologies aligned with operational requirements.
Technology Focus: The partnership focuses on Internal Combustion (IC) engine-based drones and systems capable of operating in Global Positioning System (GPS)-denied environments.
Roles: Raghu Vamsi Par East provides technical consultancy, subsystem evaluation, and integration readiness support, while 515 ABW facilitates trials, validation, certification, and ensures safety, interoperability, and standards compliance.
Strategic Impact: The MoU strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing import dependence, accelerating the deployment of drone solutions, and establishing a replicable model for future defence programmes.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Russia President Vladimir Putin Signs Into Federal Law Key Military Pact With India
In December 2025, Russia president Vladimir Putin signed into federal law a major military cooperation agreement with India, formalising the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact, following its ratification by both houses of Russia’s Parliament.
- The military pact will come into effect once India and Russia complete the exchange of their ratification instruments.
Exam Hints:
- What? Signs RELOS agreement with India
- Signed by:Russia President Vladimir Putin
- RELOS Agreement: Establishes framework for the movement and deployment of military formations
- Areas covered: Docking of warships, use of airspace, airfield infrastructure
- Regulation: Regulated dispatch of troops, warships, military aircrafts
- Implementation: Effective after exchange of ratification instruments between India and Russia
About Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact:
RELOS Clearance: The RELOS was ratified by the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, on December 2, 2025, followed by approval from the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house, on December 8, 2025.
Framework: The RELOS agreement establishes a framework for the movement and deployment of military formations, the docking of warships in each other’s ports, and the use of airspace and airfield infrastructure by military aircrafts from both nations.
- It is intended to be applied during joint military exercises and training activities, as well as in situations involving humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Regulation: The agreement regulates the dispatch of troops, warships, and military aircraft, as well as the provision of their mutual logistical support.
Significance: Strengthens the strategic military partnership between India and Russia while enhancing mutual defence readiness and operational interoperability.
About Russia:
President – Vladimir Putin
Prime Minister (PM) – Mikhail Mishustin
Capital – Moscow
Currency – Russian Ruble (RUB)
Stanford’s Global AI Vibrancy Tool 2025: USA Tops; India Ranks 3rd
In December 2025, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) released the ‘ Global AI Vibrancy Tool (GVT) 2025’, under its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Index project. According to the report, India ranked 3rd in the 2024 Global Vibrancy Index with a score of 21.59, marking a significant improvement from its 7th position in 2023.
- The United States of America(USA) topped the rankings with a score of 78.6, while China placed second with 36.95.
Highlights of GVT 2025:
Other top 10 countries: South Korea secured the 4th position with a score of 17.24, while the United Kingdom (UK) ranked 5th with 16.64.
- Singapore (6th rank) (16.43), Spain (7th rank) (16.37), United Arab Emirates (UAE) (eighth rank) (16.06), Japan (ninth) (16.04), and Canada (tenth) (15.56).
Performance Across Key Pillars: The USA holds the 1st position across all categories, including Research and Development (R&D), Responsible AI, Economy, Talent, Policy & Governance, Public Opinion, and Infrastructure, while China consistently ranks 2nd in each of these areas.
India-Specific: The growth in Talent & Workforce pillar is driven by the expansion of AI-skilled professionals and increasing AI activity in its software and tech industry. The scientific publications, patents, and global collaborations in AI have increased, scaling the R&D pillar.
About Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI):
Executive Director (ED) – Russell Wald
Headquarters – California, United States of America (USA)
Establishment – 2019
>>Read Full News
Overview of Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi’s Visit to Brazil
Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy (IN), visited Brazil from December 9 to 12, 2025 to enhance maritime cooperation, professional exchanges, and capacity-building with the Brazilian Navy(BN).
Key Highlights of the Visit:
Engagements: During his visit to Brazil, CNS Tripathi held high-level bilateral meetings with senior leaders of Brazil, including Celso Amorim, Chief Advisor to the President of Brazil; Brazilian Defence Minister Jose Mucio Monteiro, among others, to review the full spectrum of bilateral defence and maritime security cooperation, and coordination across the South Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
Visited BN Facilities: CNS Tripathi visited key BN facilities: the Itaguai Naval Complex and the amphibious helicopter carrier NAM Atlantico (A140).
- Also, he attended the passing-out parade of 140 midshipmen at Brazilian Naval Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Tripartite MoU Signed: A key highlight of CNS Tripathi’s visit was the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the IN, the BN and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to exchange information on the maintenance of Scorpene‑class submarines and other naval vessels.
- The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework that will facilitate the exchange of technical information, maintenance philosophies, industrial practices, spare parts support, and personnel training.
- The new tripartite MoU will be valid for a period of 10 years from the date of signing and may be extended through mutual written consent.
BANKING & FINANCE
ADB Approves USD 846 Mn Loan for India’s Skill Development
In December 2025, The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 846 million(Mn) (about Rs.7,000 crore) loan to India to boost skills and employability by modernising Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) under a flagship national programme.
Exam Hints:
- What? ADB Approved Loan to Indian
- Loan Amount: USD 846 Mn
- Purpose: Modernise 650 ITIs across 12 states + upgrade 5 NSTIs
- Beneficiaries: 1.3 million youth (focus on women, disadvantaged groups)
- Sectors: Renewable energy, electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, green jobs
- Co-financier: World Bank
Key Highlights:
Programme overview: The funding supports the “Supporting Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs Program (PM-SETU)”. It aims to build a future ready workforce for manufacturing and emerging technology sectors, aligned with Skill India and Make in India priorities.
ITI Modernisation Model: The programme aims to modernise 650 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across 12 states using a hub-and-spoke cluster model. It focuses on upgrading infrastructure, training equipment, and digital systems to deliver industry-aligned, demand-driven courses.
NSTI Centres Upgrade: It proposes to upgrade 5 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) into Centres of Excellence for advanced trainer development, thereby improving the quality and capacity of instructors nationwide.
PPP-Led Governance: The programme introduces governance reforms through Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), granting ITIs greater institutional autonomy and strengthening industry participation in curriculum design, assessment, and placement activities.
High-Growth Sectors: Training will be expanded in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, and other green and digital economy areas, aligned with future labour market demand.
Youth-Centric Skilling: The initiative is expected to directly benefit at least 1.3 million youth, with a strong focus on women and disadvantaged groups, by improving employment outcomes and access to modern skilling opportunities.
Green & Inclusive Design: Investments will support energy-efficient buildings, disaster and health preparedness, and green skills, while integrating climate-responsive and sustainability-oriented content into training curricula.
Results-Based Financing: The programme adopts a Results-Based Lending (RBL) modality, linking fund disbursements to measurable outcomes such as higher graduate employment rates and improved institutional performance.
World Bank Support: The initiative will be co-financed with the World Bank, aligning multilateral financial and technical support with India’s large-scale skilling transformation agenda
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President – Masato Kanda (Japan)
Headquarters – Manila, the Philippines
Member Nations – 69 (50 member nations are from Asia-Pacific region)
Established – 1966
RBI Approves HDFC Bank Group to Acquire Up to 9.5% Stake in IndusInd Bank
On 15 December 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved HDFC Bank Limited, along with its group entities, to acquire an aggregate holding of up to 9.5% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in IndusInd Bank Limited.
- The approval has been granted under the RBI (Commercial Banks – Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights) Directions, 2025, with non-compliance leading to automatic lapse of permission.
Exam Hints:
- What? RBI approval to acquire an aggregate stake
- Acquirer Bank: HDFC Bank Group
Target Bank: IndusInd Bank - Permissible Limit: Up to 9.50% aggregate holding
- Validity Period: One year, till December 14, 2026
- Regulation: RBI Commercial Banks (Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights) Directions, 2025
Key Details of Approval:
Validity: The approval is valid for one year, from 15 December 2025 to 14 December 2026, and the aggregate holding must not exceed 9.50% at any time.
Coverage: The approval applies to aggregate holdings of HDFC Bank, its promoter group entities,Mutual Funds(MFs), trustees, and corporate bodies under the same management or control.
Entities: The covered group entities include HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, HDFC Pension Fund Management Limited, and HDFC Securities Limited.
SEBI Approves NCDEX to Launch a Mutual Fund Platform
On December 15, 2025, the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) received in-principle approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch a Mutual Fund (MF) transaction platform.
Exam Hints:
- What? NCDEX received in-principle approval
- From: SEBI
- Purpose: To launch a Mutual Fund transaction platform
- Clearing & Settlement: Handled by NCCL.
About NCDEX MF Transaction Platform:
Functionality: SEBI’s approval allows NCDEX to set up a platform where investors can easily buy and sell MF units, after meeting regulatory requirements.
Clearing & Settlement: The National Commodity Clearing Limited (NCCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NCDEX, will handle the backend processing such as Clearing through validating trade details and Settlement which ensures money moves from investor to MF and units are allocated appropriately.
Independent Operation: The MF platform will be independent of the trading infrastructure of NCDEX for commodities or future stock trading systems. It can roll out faster without depending on the equity system.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
NIRL Signed MoU with PTC India Limited to Establish Green Energy Joint Venture
In December 2025, NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited (NLCIL), signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with PTC India Limited (formerly Power Trading Corporation) at Neyveli, Tamil Nadu (TN), for the establishment of a green energy joint venture company (JVC) to develop renewable energy projects.
Exam Hints:
- What? Green energy Joint Venture Agreement signed
- Entities: NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL) and PTC India Limited
- Where? Neyveli, Tamil Nadu
- Target Capacity: Up to 2,000 Megawatt (MW)
- First Phase: Around 500 MW
- Equity: Proposed shareholding is 74% NIRL and 26% PTC India.
- Focus: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and Green Ammonia.
About the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA):
Purpose: The joint venture will establish, operate, and maintain renewable energy projects covering solar, wind, hydro, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), green ammonia, and other emerging green technologies.
Capacity Plan: A total green energy capacity of up to 2,000 Megawatt (MW) will be developed in phases, with an initial deployment of approximately 500 MW.
Strategic Objective: The venture aims to accelerate large-scale renewable energy deployment, develop renewable energy parks, and support India’s transition to clean and sustainable energy.
Partner Strengths: NLC India Limited will contribute project development and power generation expertise, while PTC India Limited will provide power trading capabilities and market access.
Power Sales: Electricity will be sold through competitive and regulated mechanisms under Sections 62 and 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
Target Customers: The venture will supply power to Distribution Companies (DISCOMs), government entities, and commercial and industrial consumers.
Ownership & Governance: NIRL will hold 74% equity and PTC India Limited 26%, with both partners appointing nominee directors for board-level oversight.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Ponduru Khadi from Andhra Pradesh Receives GI Tag
In December 2025, Ponduru Khadi, a traditional handspun and handwoven cotton fabric from Ponduru village, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh (AP), received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the GI Registry, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) submitted a declaration for Ponduru Khadi’s GI registration.
Exam Hints:
- What? GI tag granted to Ponduru Khadi
- Where? Ponduru village, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh
- By Whom? Geographical Indications (GI) Registry, DPIIT, MoC&I
- Registered Proprietor: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
- GI Law: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
- Validity: 10 years (renewable)
About Ponduru Khadi:
Identity: Ponduru Khadi, locally known as Patnulu, nominated under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
Historical Significance: During the Swadeshi Movement in 1921, Mahatma Gandhi praised Ponduru Khadi in Young India and, after receiving a Ponduru Khadi stole, deputed Devdas Gandhi to study its production process.
Artisan Support: The Andhra Fine Khadi Karmik Abhivrudhi Sangam (AFKKS), established in 1949, supports Ponduru Khadi artisans.
Cotton Varieties: The fabric is made exclusively from indigenous hill cotton, punasa cotton, and red cotton grown locally in and around Srikakulam.
Production Process: Ponduru Khadi is produced through an entirely manual process, from cotton cleaning to spinning and weaving, with no use of mechanisation.
Unique Techniques: Cotton is cleaned using the jawbone of the Valuga fish, and spinning is done using a single-spindle 24-spoke Gandhi Charkha, producing ultra-fine yarn with a yarn count of about 100–120.
GI Protection: Ponduru Khadi has been granted a Geographical Indication under the GI Act, 1999, covering Classes 23, 24, and 25 to prevent misuse and imitation.
About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
Definition: A sign used on goods originating from a specific geographical area with qualities or reputation attributable to that origin
Legal Framework: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
Administering Authority: Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM)
Validity: 10 years (renewable)
About Andhra Pradesh (AP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor – Syed Abdul Nazeer
Capital – Amaravati
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Sri Lankamalleswara WLS, Krishna WLS
C-DoT Becomes First Indian Organization to Win IEEE SA Corporate Award 2025
On December 15, 2025, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), under Ministry of Communications, became the first Indian organization to receive the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association (IEEE SA) Corporate Award 2025.
- With this achievement, C‑DoT became one of only five organizations worldwide to have received the award.
Exam Hints:
- What? IEEE SA Corporate Award 2025
- Who? C-DoT
- Significance: First Indian organisation to receive the award
- IEEE Standards Medallion: Sandeep Agarwal( C-DoT)
About IEEE SA Corporate Award:
Recognition: The IEEE SA Corporate Award, presented by IEEE SA, recognizes organizations that make outstanding contributions to the development and advancement of global technical standards.
C-DoT’s Contributions: The award recognises C-DoT’s pioneering role in advancing IEEE standards through the development of high-speed wireless broadband technologies and innovative rural 5G solutions that expand reliable connectivity to remote and underserved regions of India.
- C-DoT has also strengthened telecom education and capacity-building, ensuring India’s workforce stays aligned with international standards and emphasized standards-based innovation.
Individual Recognition: Sandeep Agarwal, a scientist at C-DoT, also received the IEEE Standards Medallion for his contributions to rural broadband standardisation.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Former IAS Officer Raj Kumar Goyal Sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner
On 15 December 2025, Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Raj Kumar Goyal was sworn in as the 13th Chief Information Commissioner of the Central Information Commission (CIC) for three years, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath of office and secrecy at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi.
- Goyal succeeded Heeralal Samariya, who demitted office in September 2025.
- Following his swearing-in, Goyal administered the oath to eight newly appointed Information Commissioners (ICs), completing the Central Information Commission’s full bench of one Chief Information Commissioner and ten ICs for the first time since 2016.
Appointments Process:
Committee: The appointments were recommended by a three-member committee as mandated by the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
Composition: The committee comprised Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi (Chairperson), Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
About Raj Kumar Goyal:
Service Background: Raj Kumar Goyal is a 1990-batch IAS officer, initially of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cadre and later part of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre.
Previous Position: He retired in August 2025 as Secretary of the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J).
Other Posts: He has held positions as Secretary (Border Management) in the MHA, roles in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and various posts in the erstwhile J&K administration.
New Information Commissioners (ICs):
Composition: The eight newly appointed Information Commissioners represent diverse professional backgrounds, including civil services, journalism, and the legal sector, and join the two incumbent ICs, Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari.
New Information Commissioners: Surendra Singh Meena, Ashutosh Chaturvedi, Swagat Das, Sudha Rani Relangi, P.R. Ramesh, Khushwant Singh Sethi, Jaya Varma Sinha, Sanjeev Kumar Jindal
About Central Information Commission (CIC):
Established – 2005
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
>>Read Full News
Jose Antonio Kast Rist Elected as the 38th President of Chile
On 14 December 2025, far-right leader José Antonio Kast Rist of Chile’s Republican Party elected as the 38th President of Chile after winning the presidential runoff with about 58% of the vote, defeating left-wing candidate Jeannette Jara, and will assume office on March 11, 2026, succeeding centre-left President Gabriel Boric.
Exam Hints:
- What? Jose Antonio Kast elected as Chile’s 38th President
- Party: Republican Party of Chile
- Opponent: Jeannette Jara (Unity for Chile coalition)
- Vote Share: Kast – 58%, Jara – 42%
- Assumption of Office: March 11, 2026
- Key Focus Areas: Crime control, migration, law and order
About José Antonio Kast Rist:
Political Career: Kast began his career as a Buin councilman in 1996, served for over a decade as a congressman with the centre-right Independent Democratic Union (UDI), founded the hard-line Republican Party in 2019, and won the presidency in his third bid after unsuccessful runs in 2017 and 2021.
Ideology & Social Views: A far-right conservative with strong Catholic values, Kast admires former dictator Augusto Pinochet and firmly opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and euthanasia.
Security Agenda: His “mano dura” or Implacable Plan prioritizes strict law enforcement through expanded police and military powers, deployment of troops in high-crime areas, isolation of cartel leaders, and construction of high-security prisons.
Migration Policy: Kast supports mass deportations of undocumented migrants, building border barriers in northern Chile, and creating a specialized border force modeled on the United States of America (USA) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
About Chile:
President – Gabriel Boric
Capital – Santiago
Currency – Chilean Peso (CLP)
ACC Approved Appointment of Ravi Ranjan as MD of SBI
In December 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF), for the appointment of Ravi Ranjan as Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB).
- Rajiv Ranjan, who was previously serving as Deputy MD (DMD)of SBI, succeeded Vinay M. Tonse whose tenure expired on November 30, 2025.
Exam Hints:
- What? Appointment of MD of SBI
- Who? Rajiv Ranjan
- Appointment Approved by: ACC, chaired by PM Narendra Modi
- Effective from: December 15, 2025
- Name Proposed by: DFS, MoF
- Predecessor: Vinay M. Tonse
- Term: Until his Superannuation on September 30, 2028 or until further orders, whichever is earlier
Key Details of Appointment:
Effective From: Following the approval of ACC, DFS officially notified the appointment of Ranjan as new MD of SBI with effect from December 15, 2025.
Tenure: As per the official notification, issued by DFS in exercise of powers under the State Bank of India (SBI Act, 1955), Ranjan will hold this post until his superannuation on September 30, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Key Functions as MD: After assuming charge as MD of SBI, Ranjan is now responsible for the risk management, compliance and Stressed Assets Resolution Group (SARG)
About Rajiv Ranjan:
Banking Career: Ranjan started his career as banker by joining the SBI as Probationary Officer (PO) in 1991.
Experience: He has an extensive career of more than 34 years across various banking and financial services verticals.
Previous Roles: Prior to his appointment as MD, Ranjan served as DMD for Global Markets for over a year and also worked as DMD of Corporate Accounts Group (CAG).
Leadership Roles in SBI: During his 3-decade long career in SBI, he held several senior leadership roles in SBI such as: served as Chief General Manager (CGM) at SBI’s Chennai Circle, covering the state of Tamil Nadu (TN)
and Union Territory (UT) Puducherry; and served as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at SBICAPS, Mumbai (Maharashtra).
Global Assignments: He also worked as Vice President (VP) and Head-Syndications at SBI’s Hong Kong operations; and in Los Angeles, California, the United States of America (USA).
OBITUARY
Former MP Ram Vilas Das Vedanti Passed Away
On 15 December 2025, Ram Vilas Das Vedanti, former Member of Parliament (MP) and a key figure of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, passed away at Gudhwa in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh (MP), at the age of 67. He was born on 7 October 1958 in Rewa, MP.
Exam Hints:
- What? Former MP Ram Vilas Das Vedanti Passed Away
- Where? Rewa, Madhya Pradesh
- Positions Held:
- Executive President, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas;
- Two-time Lok Sabha MP (Machhlishahr 1996; Pratapgarh 1998).
About Ram Vilas Das Vedanti:
Spirituality: Dr. Ram Vilas Das Vedanti, disciple of Mahant Abhiram Das, led the Vashishth Bhawan ashram in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh(UP).
Ram Movement: He was a key figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and served as Executive President of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas.
Parliamentary Career: He was a two-term Lok Sabha MP representing Machhlishahr (1996) and Pratapgarh (1998) constituencies in UP.
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Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)
| Current Affairs 17 December 2025 |
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| Overview of 20th Session of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi, Delhi |
| India Unveils 1st Indigenous 64-bit Dual-Core Microprocessor ‘DHRUV64’ |
| University of Patanjali Named India’s First Yoga-Ayurveda Cluster Centre |
| IA Signed MoU with Raghu Vamsi Par East to Boost Indigenous Drone Capabilities |
| Russia President Vladimir Putin Signs Into Federal Law Key Military Pact With India |
| Stanford’s Global AI Vibrancy Tool 2025: USA Tops; India Ranks 3rd |
| Overview of Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi’s Visit to Brazil |
| ADB Approves USD 846 Mn Loan for India’s Skill Development |
| RBI Approves HDFC Bank Group to Acquire Up to 9.5% Stake in IndusInd Bank |
| SEBI Approves NCDEX to Launch a Mutual Fund Platform |
| NIRL Signed MoU with PTC India Limited to Establish Green Energy Joint Venture |
| Ponduru Khadi from Andhra Pradesh Receives GI Tag |
| C-DoT Becomes First Indian Organization to Win IEEE SA Corporate Award 2025 |
| Former IAS Officer Raj Kumar Goyal Sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner |
| Jose Antonio Kast Rist Elected as the 38th President of Chile |
| ACC Approved Appointment of Ravi Ranjan as MD of SBI |
| Former MP Ram Vilas Das Vedanti Passed Away |
Aspirant: Does Affairscloud covers all the Current affairs topics related to examinations?
Affairscloud: We Guaranteed All the Important topics related to examination are covered in Our Daily CA content and Daily CA Quizzes.
Aspirant: Why is there a delayal in news?
Affairscloud: As some of the major news sites doesn’t provide the required data on the exact day, we take extra time for important data to be presented to the aspirants on the examination basis to ensure nothing is missed.
Example: In ‘Important Days’ topics the International Organisations publish their reports and Rankings in the evenings, to make sure every data is covered, we delay the topics to the next day.
| Candidates appearing for Competitive Exams. Kindly Share the General Awareness questions,which asked in their respective exams to “[email protected]” |
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| Dear Aspirants, We would like to inform you that, starting January 2025,all Current Affairs Hindi Content will be accessible only through the CareersCloud app and CareersCloud.in website. Make sure to download the app or visit the website to continue accessing the content seamlessly. Thank you for your understanding and continued support! |
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Daily Current Affairs – Last 10 Days
- Current Affairs 17 December 2025
- Current Affairs 16 December 2025
- Current Affairs 13, 14 & 15 December 2025
- Current Affairs 12 December 2025
- Current Affairs 11 December 2025
- Current Affairs 10 December 2025
- Current Affairs 9 December 2025
- Current Affairs 7 & 8 December 2025
- Current Affairs 6 December 2025
- Current Affairs 5 December 2025
Year-Wise Current Affairs Today
